HHS names new band director

(Franklin) — In a called meeting Tuesday night, the Heard County Board of Education approved a new hire for HHS band director, 27-year-old Armand Tyson.

Tyson will replace Jonathan Greene who resigned in early June after holding the position for the 2012-2013 school year.

Incoming principal Rodney Kay is excited about the new director, a 27-year-old graduate of Brunswick High School and the University of West Georgia. Tyson also completed his teaching internship at Carrollton High School where he worked with former HHS Band director Michael Cater.

“After pouring over 45 to 50 applicants for this position, Mr Tyson stood out on paper and then blew us away during the actual interview. I am looking forward to working with him and he will be a great addition to our faculty,” said Kay Tuesday night.

“I’m excited for our kids. Mr Tyson shares our passion for seeing kids succeed. I’m excited about the positive impact he will have on our band program. I want to send a special thanks to Mrs. Nancy Heard and Mrs. Jamie Barnard for sitting in on the interviews.”

Tyson has been teaching for the last two years at Needwood Middle School in Brunswick while also serving as the assistant band director at Brunswick High School.

He said in a phone interview Tuesday night that he can’t wait to get started at his new position: “I am very excited to be coming to Heard County. I am hopeful that I can bring some new and creative ideas to get the students more interested in music. I want to build the program and make it bigger and better.”

The band boosters will be hosting a meet and greet with the new director Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. at HHS.

Tyson and the Marching Braves will have plenty of work to do as they prepare for the regular season opener, the 2nd Annual Pulpwood Classic versus Callaway, kicking off on August 23 at Staples Stadium.